U-23 WNT Defeats Norway 2-0 at La Manga Tournament

U-23 WNTFeb 28, 2015

CHICAGO (Feb, 28, 2015) – The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team made it two wins in a row at the Six Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain, defeating its counterpart from Norway, 2-0, on goals from forward Shea Groom and midfielder Danielle Colaprico.

The USA out-shot Norway 16-2, but didn’t get on the board until a few minutes before halftime. Midfielder Samantha Mewis, the only player on the U.S. roster with senior WNT caps, played a pass into Groom near the left side of the penalty box. Groom took a long touch inside to beat the defender and finished hard inside the near post.

Groom, a second round pick by FC Kansas City in the 2015 NWSL Draft, turned provider on the insurance goal. In the 70th minute she got to the end line and played a pass back across the face of the goal. Boston Breakers fourth-round draft pick Stephanie Verdoia made a perfect dummy run and the ball rolled to Colaprico, a Chicago Red Stars first-round pick, who finished from the top of the six-yard box. Stanford goalkeeper Jane Campbell picked up the shutout for the USA.

The USA was coming off a 1-0 victory against Japan on Feb. 26 and will try to make it a three-game sweep at this friendly tournament against England on March 2. After Mewis captained the side against Japan, defender Emily Sonnet wore the armband against Norway.

The 22-player U.S. squad features 14 professional players, including 13 who were taken in the recent 2015 NWSL Draft. The only one-year pro is Chicago Red Stars midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo.